Membranes are of fundamental importance in determining the organisation and functioning of cells. The aims of the course are to introduce students to how membranes are associated with cellular activities and the energetic principles underpinning macromolecular structure and membrane function. Initially consideration is made of how structure relates to the activity of biological membranes. The role of membranes in the regulation, ion and solute status of cells will be examined. Energy transduction by membranes is an essential feature of all cells: membrane electron transport processes will be considered (with particular attention being given to respiratory and photosynthetic processes), together with the chemiosmotic hypothesis for ATP synthesis by membranes. Particular emphasis is placed on the quantitative description of chemical free energy changes and electron transfer reactions.
Learning Outcomes:
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. describe the structure, organisation and dynamic nature of biological membranes;
2. explain how ions and solutes are transported across biological membranes;
3. explain chemiosmotic theory of energy transduction by biological membranes;
4. explain the thermodynamics underpinning these mechanisms;
5. describe how extracellular signals can be transmitted across biological membranes;
6. demonstrate skills of data analysis and applications of equations.
Learning Outcomes:
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. describe the structure, organisation and dynamic nature of biological membranes;
2. explain how ions and solutes are transported across biological membranes;
3. explain chemiosmotic theory of energy transduction by biological membranes;
4. explain the thermodynamics underpinning these mechanisms;
5. describe how extracellular signals can be transmitted across biological membranes;
6. demonstrate skills of data analysis and applications of equations.